Home Remodeling Trends for Fall 2025: What’s In & What’s Out

Posted on September 23rd, 2025

 

Fall in Chicago isn’t just about sweaters and pumpkin-flavored everything—it’s also prime time to rethink your space.

Cooler weather has a way of making us notice what’s working at home and what’s not.

Maybe it’s the lighting, the layout, or just a general “meh” vibe that doesn’t feel right anymore.

Whatever it is, fall 2025 brings a mix of trends worth paying attention to—some fresh, some familiar, and a few that might surprise you.

Home design is leaning into comfort without letting go of style. Tech upgrades are getting smarter, but not in a show-off kind of way. Materials are warmer, more grounded, and often come with a story.

Nature isn’t just outside the window anymore—it’s creeping into the paint colors, the textures, and even the walls themselves.

This season’s trends aren’t about chasing looks. They’re about making your home feel better, function better, and actually fit how you live now.

Trends We’re Done With: What’s Out in Home Design by the End of 2025

Some trends just don’t age well. What looked sleek five years ago might feel stiff or out of place now—especially in a home that’s meant to grow with you, not just impress visitors for one season. The truth is, the bar’s been raised.

People are no longer remodeling just to follow what's popular. They want spaces that feel good, work better, and actually reflect how they live. That shift means certain once-trendy choices are finally getting the boot.

Take over-designed kitchens, for example. For a while, everything had to be pristine, glossy, and white-on-white—with hardware so minimal you needed a manual to open a drawer. It looked polished, sure.

But did it ever feel welcoming? These days, homeowners are leaning into warmth, character, and practicality. The obsession with showroom-perfect everything? It’s tired.

Another trend past its prime: faux finishes and gimmicky materials. Vinyl that pretends to be wood, wallpaper trying too hard to look like concrete, laminate passing as marble—it’s all on the way out.

Not just because the illusion breaks down over time, but because people are craving honesty in materials. If it’s wood, let it be wood. If it’s stone, let it age like it means it.

Built-in tech that’s clunky or hard to use is also getting the side-eye. Touchscreens in the wall that no one knows how to operate? Lighting systems that need an app and a degree to adjust? If it doesn’t simplify your day, it’s not worth the wiring.

Design is also moving away from cold, impersonal spaces. That means no more sterile grays everywhere, no more floor plans that try too hard to look like luxury hotel lobbies, and definitely no more oversized bathtubs that eat half the bathroom but rarely get used.

Bottom line: form still matters, but function wins.

Outdated by the End of 2025:

• High-gloss white kitchens

• Faux finishes that imitate wood, stone, or concrete

• Overly complex smart home systems

• All-gray everything

• Giant bathtubs that barely get used

The design choices getting left behind aren’t just aesthetic—they’re lifestyle mismatches. The good news? What’s coming next is a lot more livable. And that’s where things get interesting.

 

What’s In for Fall 2025: Home Remodeling Trends Worth Knowing

Not every trend is just for looks. The big story in fall 2025 remodeling is all about how style and function are teaming up to make homes not only better-looking but also smarter, healthier, and easier to live in.

It’s less about showing off and more about living well—with materials that last, tech that helps (not frustrates), and spaces that actually work the way you need them to.

Warm, honest materials are making a big return. Real wood, natural stone, and textured finishes are replacing the fake stuff. Homeowners are leaning into pieces with depth and story—nothing too perfect, nothing too sterile.

A wall of reclaimed wood? It’s not just a design choice. It’s a conversation starter. A countertop that actually feels like stone? That’s the new standard.

Smart tech is getting sharper too, but it’s not about flashy gadgets anymore. The best upgrades now are the ones that quietly do their job in the background—think lighting that adjusts with your sleep cycle or appliances that make dinner planning less of a chore. It’s convenience that fits into your life, not the other way around.

Nature’s also pulling more weight inside the home. You’re seeing more glass, more light, and more greenery.

Large windows, indoor planters, and even vertical gardens are becoming more common, especially in city homes where outdoor space is limited.

These touches don’t just look good. They create a calmer, cleaner atmosphere—something everyone can use more of.

Color schemes are following suit. Harsh contrasts and icy grays are being swapped for earthier shades that make spaces feel grounded and lived-in.

Think mossy greens, rich browns, muted blues—tones that feel like home without trying too hard. Open layouts are still in, but now they come with subtle boundaries that separate the noise from the calm, without boxing anyone in.

This year’s trends aren’t about being trendy. They’re about building a home that works smarter, feels warmer, and looks better doing it.

What’s In for Fall 2025:

• Natural materials with real texture

• Seamless, user-friendly smart tech

• Biophilic design (think greenery, glass, and light)

• Earth-toned palettes over cold neutrals

• Zoned open layouts with subtle separation

These aren’t passing fads—they reflect a change in how people want to live. Comfortable, connected, low-stress. These trends are shaping what homes look and feel like going into 2026.

And if you’re thinking about making changes, this is the right time to start planning smart.

 

Kitchens That Work Hard and Look Good: 2025 Trends to Know

The kitchen is no longer just the place where meals get made—it's the heart of the house, the backdrop to weekday chaos and weekend hosting.

In 2025, the updates people are choosing are rather simplistic; people want style, but not at the expense of durability.

They want smart features, but nothing that overcomplicates a busy day. And whenever it comes to design details that check all those boxes, fluted cabinetry is quietly stealing the spotlight.

These vertical-grooved cabinets do more than add texture. They bring depth to the room without relying on bold patterns or busy surfaces.

Paired with the right finishes, they create a look that feels modern but still warm—like something that’ll age well instead of wear out.

• Matte-finished fluted cabinets in tones like sage, clay, or soft charcoal

• Mixes of open shelving and textured cabinetry to break up wall-to-wall storage

• Minimalist hardware that doesn’t compete with the grooves

• Fluted kitchen islands for added texture without visual clutter

The rise of fluted cabinetry is also part of a broader move toward kitchens that feel grounded. People are choosing finishes that echo the natural world—muted earth tones, stone countertops with subtle movement, and wood textures that aren’t overly processed. It’s not about rustic farmhouses anymore. It’s about clean, thoughtful design that holds up over time.

On the tech side, 2025 is about upgrades that make daily routines smoother. Smart ovens that talk you through dinner prep, lighting systems that shift based on time of day, fridges that keep track of what’s inside so you don’t double-buy—these aren’t flashy extras. They’re functional tools that make your kitchen more responsive to how you live.

Sustainability’s also front and center. From recycled glass surfaces to high-efficiency induction cooktops, eco-conscious updates are moving from “nice to have” to “must have.”

The goal is simple: build a kitchen that looks good, works well, and makes better use of what we already have.

Fluted cabinetry may be the visual trend catching eyes this year, but the real story in kitchen renovation is how form and function are finally meeting in the middle—and staying there.

 

Turn Your Ideas To Life with Home Remodeling from Family Restoration INC

Home design is shifting—and so are the expectations around how a space should feel, function, and evolve over time. Modern trends aren't about quick makeovers or temporary upgrades.

They're about making smart, lasting choices that support the way you live. If you've been thinking about updating your home, now's the time to do it with purpose and perspective.

At Family Restoration INC., we specialize in turning solid ideas into well-built realities.

From functional kitchen redesigns to full-home transformations, our work reflects a combination of timeless design, modern convenience, and personalized care.

We don’t apply one-size-fits-all solutions—your home deserves more than that. Every project is tailored, every decision intentional, and every detail built to last.

Clients across the Chicago area trust us because we keep the process straightforward and the results truly awe-inspiring.

Our team handles everything from planning to finishing touches, ensuring a smooth experience that respects your time and your vision.

Want smart upgrades? Sustainable materials? Custom storage? We’ve done it—and we’ll do it right for your space, too.

Get a free quote and home remodeling consultation here.

Prefer to talk first? Reach out at 847-209-9541 for direct support from our team. No pressure, no pushy sales tactics—just real conversations about how to make your home better, smarter, and more enjoyable.

When you're ready to remodel with intention, we’re ready to build it.